ROCKFORD — After several years and just as many failed redevelopment pitches surrounding the long-vacant Amerock building, city leaders think the tide could be changing.

Leaders think the project finally has gained the attention of a developer that’s capable of delivering a 230,000-square-foot, 13-story historic rehabilitation.

Gorman & Co., a Wisconsin-based firm that specializes in adaptive re-use projects, has expressed interest in joining forces with the city and asked for exclusive development rights for five months. In exchange, Gorman will give the city its work product and the results of any studies it performs free-of-charge if the firm chooses to walk away from the project.

Aldermen answered that request tonight with a 13-0 vote of support; Ald. John Beck, R-12, was absent.

“In the letter we received from Gorman, it said Gorman & Co. would like to express its strong interest in working with Rockford to redevelop the historic (Amerock) building in downtown Rockford,” said Ald. Doug Mark, R-3. “I think that says volumes. ... Let’s get started.”

Mayor Larry Morrissey told aldermen that he spoke with the company’s president.

“I have been assured — all of the intellectual property, if they decide to not move forward with the project, will be given to the city,” he said. “He’s very confident that they’re going to work with us and actually try to get a project to move forward, so he had no problem with (the agreement.)”

The city purchased the Amerock building for $240,000 in 2010 with plans of tearing it down with its neighbor, the Tapco building, which the city also purchased.

While demolition started on the Tapco building last month, Amerock’s fate has been on hold. A group of downtown residents and business people rallied around the building and got it placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The move postponed demolition and qualifies it for state and federal historic tax credits, a financial tool that may prove helpful in the building’s rehabilitation.

The group calls itself the Friends of Ziock in honor of the building’s original owner, industrialist William Ziock.

The Friends of Ziock is in a three-way agreement with the city and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency regarding marketing of the building. The three parties have agreed to let Gorman have a shot at the project before they do a national campaign.

Several members of the Friends of Ziock attended the meeting, filling Council Chambers with applause after the unanimous vote.